Real-world Chinese medicine treatment for chikungunya fever

Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Chikungunya Fever: A Real-World Observational Study

This project will try Chinese medicine alone or together with Western medicines to relieve symptoms in people with early chikungunya fever.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 600 (estimated)
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT07120724 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational real-world project follows people with suspected or confirmed chikungunya who begin treatment within three days of symptom onset. Patients receive whatever treatment their clinician prescribes—traditional Chinese medicine alone, Western medicine alone, or a combination—and researchers record clinical outcomes and safety. No experimental drugs are assigned; the study analyzes routine care at Guangdong Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine under the sponsorship of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The focus is on symptom relief, recovery course, and adverse events to understand how Chinese medicine performs in routine practice.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: People with suspected or confirmed chikungunya fever who can give informed consent and who started treatment within three days of symptom onset are suitable candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with severe chikungunya or those who present later than three days after symptom onset are unlikely to benefit from the treatments evaluated in this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer an additional symptom-relief option that shortens recovery and reduces joint pain where no specific antivirals exist.

How similar studies have performed: Some smaller reports and traditional-use data suggest symptom relief with Chinese medicine for viral fevers, but rigorous clinical evidence specifically for chikungunya is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meets the suspected or confirmed diagnostic criteria for chikungunya fever;
2. Symptom onset ≤3 days before enrollment;
3. Actual prescribed treatment aligns with the study's group assignment (TCM, Western medicine, or combined therapy)
4. Signed informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe chikungunya fever;
2. Participation in another drug clinical trial within the past 3 months;
3. Any other condition deemed by the investigator as unsuitable for enrollment.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

• Guangdong Province Hospital of Tradtional Chinese Medicine — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)

Conditions Chikungunya Fever